Laser Cutting: Difference between revisions

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{{Note
Laser cutters use high-powered laser systems which allow for precise and fast cutting of materials. DBE has 2 technician-operated large format laser cutters. There are also small-format, lower-speed laser cutters that students can work directly with a technician to use if desired.
 
Prepare your files for laser cutting using the information, guides, and templates below. {{Note
| inline = 0
| inline = 0
| type = warn
| type = warn
| text = Laser cutting requires a General Makerspace Induction. Use of the Emblaser 2 laser cutters requires a Laser Cutting Badge.
| text = Laser cutting requires a Makerspace Induction.
}}
}} 
 
== Laser cutting equipment ==
Choose your laser cutter based on your material and size. More details on [[Laser Cutting#Materials|materials are below]].  
 
=== Trotec SP500 ===
Maximum material size: 1245 x 710mm
 
Materials: Strawboard (1 and 2mm), plywood (3 and 6mm)
 
Location: DBE Makerspace, building 418


Laser cutters use high-power laser systems which allow for precise and fast cutting of materials. DBE has 12 laser cutters in total; 2 are technician-operated large format laser cutters, and 10 small-format laser cutters that students can operated once trained.
=== Trotec Speedy 400 Flexx ===
Maximum material size: 1000 x 610mm


Prepare your files for laser cutting using the information and guides below.
Materials: Strawboard, plywood, acrylic, polypropylene, fabrics, and other materials


== Lasers ==
Location: Digital Modelling Workshop, building 202{{Note
{| class="wikitable"
!Type
!Quantity
!Dimensions
!Materials
!Location
|-
|Trotec SP500[[File:Trotec sp 500 image.jpg|thumb]]
|1
|1245 mm x 710 mm
|Strawboard (1 and 2mm), plywood (3 and 6mm)
|418 Makerspace
|-
|Darkly Labs Emblaser 2[[File:Emblaser 2.png|thumb]]
|10
|500mm x 300mm
|Strawboard (1 and 2mm), plywood (3mm)
|418 Makerspace
|-
|Trotec Speedy 400 Flexx[[File:Speedy 400.jpg|thumb]]
|1
|1000 x 610mm
|Strawboard, plywood, acrylic, mylar, fabrics, and other materials.
|202 Digital Modelling
|}{{Note
| inline = 1
| inline = 1
| type = info
| type = info
| text = <strong>Trotec SP500 and Speedy 400</strong> This equipment is strictly operated only by technical staff. Students must be present at the workshop to have their work cut.<br><br>
| text = This equipment is operated only by technical staff. Students must be present at the workshop to have their work cut.
 
<strong>Emblaser 2 </strong>This equipment can be operated by students who have completed a laser cutting badge. Students must watch the equipment for the entire process.
}}
}}


Line 46: Line 32:
| inline = 0
| inline = 0
| type = error
| type = error
| text = The following materials cannot be cut or engraved: <ul><li>Polycarbonate</li><li>PVC (vinyl)</li><li>Anything containing chlorine</li><li>Metals</li><li>MDF</li><li>Any materials without a Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS)</li><ul>
| text = The following materials cannot be cut or engraved: <ul><li>Polycarbonate</li><li>PVC (vinyl)</li><li>Anything containing chlorine</li><li>Some metals</li><li>MDF</li><li>Any materials without a Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS)</li><ul>
}}
}}


=== Materials that can be cut and/or engraved ===
=== Materials that can be cut and/or engraved ===
Both the Makerspace and Digital Modelling Workshop stock plywood and strawboard for laser cutting. 
In the '''DBE''' '''Makerspace''', you can only process materials supplied by the workshop:


The Makerspace laser cutters cut '''supplied materials only:'''
Plywood 3mm and 6mm thick


* Plywood 3mm and 6mm thick, up to 1200 x 600mm in size
* 1200 x 600mm
* Strawboard 1mm and 2mm thick, up to 900 x 600mm in size
* 900 x 600mm
* 300 x 600mm


You cannot bring in other materials to cut on the Makerspace laser cutters.
Strawboard 1mm and 2mm thick


The Trotec Speedy 400 Flexx in the Digital Modelling Workshop can cut a wider range of materials, including:
* 900 x 680mm
{{Note
| inline = 1
| type = warn
| text = You cannot bring in other materials to cut on the Makerspace laser cutters.
}}
 
=== Materials that can be cut and/or engraved ===
In the '''Digital Modelling Workshop''', you can use supplied plywood, strawboard, or acrylic in limited colours, up to 900 x 600mm in size. You can also bring other material that is not stocked, such as:  


* Cast acrylic
* Cast acrylic
Line 66: Line 61:
* Leather
* Leather
* Card and paper
* Card and paper
* Polyethylene
* Polypropylene
* Acetate
* Acetate


And can engrave (but not cut) some others, such as:
Some materials can be engraved only, including:


* Glass and ceramics
* Glass and ceramics
* Solid wood
* Solid wood
* Some metals
Please discuss using any materials that are not supplied with a technician before bringing them to the workshop. We can recommend suppliers and ensure that you are making an appropriate choice for your project.
=== Material costs ===
=== Material costs ===
Some units require you to a pay a consumables fee, which covers the costs of some or all of your materials. If your material costs are not covered by a consumables fee, you will need to pay for supplied laser cutting materials at cost price.
Some units require you to pay a consumables fee, which covers the cost of some or all of your materials.


== File Preparation ==
If your material costs are not covered by a consumables fee, you will need to pay for supplied laser cutting materials at cost price as you use them.  
=== Vector files Only ===
* Vector files are the only format the laser cutter will recognise for cutting and vector engraving
* A vector file is made up of shapes and lines that do not lose resolution or quality when they are scaled; they use mathematical equations to define shapes and lines
* You can create vector files using programs such as Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, Rhino 3D, and AutoCAD, as well as free software like Inkscape.
* Vector files need to be created in a vector program - not just imported or pasted.
=== Line and shape properties ===
There are slight differences between line colours when preparing files for Trotec (large format) laser cutters and Emblaser (small format) laser cutters. Use the following settings:


=== Vector Vs Raster ===
Check in the relevant spaces for priceing.  
The difference between vector graphics and raster graphics are as follows. Vector graphics use mathematical equations to define shapes and lines, while raster graphics are made up of individual colored pixels arranged in a grid. Therefore, vector graphics can be Infinitely scaled without losing fidelity.


[[File:Vector_vs_Raster.jpg|alt=vector vs raster visualisation.|frameless|300x300px]]
== File Preparation ==


=== Trotec (SP500 and Speedy 400 Flexx) ===
=== Vector files only ===
Cut: <span style="color:rgb(255,0,0);font-weight:bold;">RGB red</span>, hairline thickness


Vector engraving: <span style="color:rgb(0,255,0);font-weight:bold;">RGB green</span>, hairline thickness
==== What is a vector file? ====
A vector graphic file contains a vector image rather than a raster/bitmap image. Vector graphics are constructed of shapes, lines, and points, which do not lose resolution or quality when scaled – think of text in a PDF.


Raster engraving: <span style="font-weight:bold;">RGB black</span> or <span style="color:rgb(75,75,75);font-weight:bold;">greyscale</span>; a solid fill engrave should be black fill, while you can use greyscale to create different tonal values or depths
==== Software that can create vector files ====
You can create vector files with software that you might already use, such as:


=== Emblaser 2 ===
* AutoCAD
Cut: <span style="color:rgb(255,0,0);font-weight:bold;">RGB red</span>, hairline thickness
* [[Rhinoceros 3D (Rhino)|Rhinoceros 3D ("Rhino")]]
* Adobe Illustrator
* CorelDraw
* Inkscape


Vector engraving: <span style="color:rgb(0,255,0);font-weight:bold;">RGB green</span>, hairline thickness
Many tutorials for this software are available online. You may also be able to get help using these programs from your tutor or from LinkedIn Learning.


Solid fill raster engraving: <span style="color:rgb(0,0,255);font-weight:bold;">RGB blue</span>, hairline thickness
==== Identifying a vector file ====
Vectors need to be made in your vector program, not just copied and pasted in or imported. If you save your work as a raster format (e.g. psd, jpg, or bmp) it will be rasterized and cannot be converted back into a vector file. If you zoom in on your vector file, you will be able to identify that it does not lose resolution, whereas a raster file will become pixelated or blurry:  


Tonal value/gradient: <span style="color:rgb(75,75,75);font-weight:bold;">Greyscale</span>
<div class="res-img">[[File:Vector_vs_Raster.jpg|alt=vector vs raster visualisation.|frameless|300x300px]]</div>


=== Size and colour scheme ===
Your document/artboard/sheet size should match your material size. Leave a 5mm minimum margin from the edge of your material to your objects.


<span style="background-color: #FF0000">RGB red</span>: cut


=== File size and format ===
<span style="background-color: #00FF00">RGB green</span>: vector engraving (“etching”)


* Files must be saved in PDF format
<span style="background-color: #000000;color: #FFFFFF";>RGB black/greyscale</span>: raster engraving
* Your PDF must be the size of your material sheet (e.g. 900 x 600mm for strawboard)
* Save each sheet as a separate PDF file


Raster engraving is used to fill areas, either with a single depth/tonality using black or to create gradients, tone, or images, using greyscale.All other colours will be ignored.


Cut lines and vector engraving must be lines of the smallest default stroke width possible in your software (e.g. “hairline” or “0.01”), with no fill.


== How to set up your files > Software + Templates ==
The laser will see '''every''' line in your file, including those hidden under others. For this reason, you need to '''remove any doubled lines''' in your file. Double cut lines can cause damage to your work, material, and the laser cutter.


=== AutoCAD ===
=== Nesting ===
[[Media:LASER CUTTING DOC AUTO CAD.zip|AUTOCAD  > FILE SET UP GUIDE >]] [[Media:LASER CUTTING DOC AUTO CAD.zip|PDF]]
Make sure to keep at least 5mm from the edge of your material, and at least 1mm between shapes. This allows latent heat to disperse from your material, preventing charring and the risk of fires.


[[Media:TEMPLATE AutoCAD TORTEC SP500.zip|AUTOCAD > TEMPLATE > TROTEC SP500 > DWG]]   
Work must be nested to make your cutting times efficient, and reduces material waste.
<div class="res-img">[[File:Nested laser cut.png|Example of work that has been nested vs not nested|thumb|none|771x771px]]</div>
   


[[Media:TEMPLATE AutoCAD EMBLASER 2.zip|AUTOCAD > TEMPLATE > EMBLASER2 > DWG]]
=== File size and format ===
Export each sheet of material as a '''separate''' PDF at your material size (e.g. 900 x 600mm).  


=== Rhino 3d ===
=== Examples ===
[[Media:LASER CUTTING DOC DRAFT RHINO 001.zip|RHINO > FILE SET UP GUIDE > PDF]]  
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!<div class="res-img">[[File:Laserdemo trotec.png|alt=Artwork prepared for Trotec laser cutters, including cutting (red), vector engraving (green), and raster engraving (black/greyscale). In green is an icon showing a laser beam, and the year 2023. The text "LASER" is in solid black. There is a greyscale gradient at the top, and a red rectangular outline with curved corners.|frameless]]</div>
|-
|Artwork prepared for Trotec laser cutters, including cutting (red), vector engraving (green), and raster engraving (black/greyscale)
|-
|<div class="res-img">[[File:Lasercut logo.jpg|alt=Laser-cut and engraved piece of ply based on example artwork. The ply is rectangular with rounded corners, with a shaded gradient at the top. It has an engraved line drawing of a laser beam, with the words "2023 LASER" engraved below.|center|frameless]]</div>
|-
|Laser cutting and engraving styles produced by the above image
|}


[[Media:Rhino Laser Cutter Template.zip|RHINO > TEMPLATES > 3DM]]
== Software-specific guides and templates ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
=== Fusion 360 ===
|+
[[Media:Fusion 360 document.pdf|Fusion 360 laser Cutting Guide]]
!AutoCAD
 
!Rhinoceros 3d
=== Illustrator ===
!Illustrator
 
!Slicer for Fusion360
<gallery>
|-
</gallery>
|<div class="res-img">[[File:Autocad-logo.png|none|thumb|180x180px|[[Laser Cutting/AutoCAD|AutoCAD File Setup]]</div>]]
|<div class="res-img">[[File:Rhino Logo.jpg|none|thumb|180x180px|[[Laser Cutting/Rhino|Rhino File Setup]]</div>]]
|<div class="res-img">[[File:Illustrator Logo.jpg|none|thumb|180x180px|[[Laser Cutting/Illustrator|Illustrator File Setup]]</div>]]
|<div class="res-img">[[File:Slicer for fusion logo.jpg|none|thumb|180x180px|[[Laser Cutting/Slicer for Fusion360|Stacked Slice Model Guide]]</div>]]
|}


== External Links ==
== External Links ==
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]
Guide: [https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/the-fablab/laser-cutting/laser-cutting/creating-a-montage-model Creating a Contour Model] by Melbourne School of Design's Fab Lab
[[Category:Digital Modelling]]
[[Category:Makerspace]]
[[Category:Laser cutting]]

Latest revision as of 15:09, 17 September 2026

Laser cutters use high-powered laser systems which allow for precise and fast cutting of materials. DBE has 2 technician-operated large format laser cutters. There are also small-format, lower-speed laser cutters that students can work directly with a technician to use if desired.

Prepare your files for laser cutting using the information, guides, and templates below.

Laser cutting requires a Makerspace Induction.

Laser cutting equipment

Choose your laser cutter based on your material and size. More details on materials are below.

Trotec SP500

Maximum material size: 1245 x 710mm

Materials: Strawboard (1 and 2mm), plywood (3 and 6mm)

Location: DBE Makerspace, building 418

Trotec Speedy 400 Flexx

Maximum material size: 1000 x 610mm

Materials: Strawboard, plywood, acrylic, polypropylene, fabrics, and other materials

Location: Digital Modelling Workshop, building 202

This equipment is operated only by technical staff. Students must be present at the workshop to have their work cut.

Materials

The following materials cannot be cut or engraved:
  • Polycarbonate
  • PVC (vinyl)
  • Anything containing chlorine
  • Some metals
  • MDF
  • Any materials without a Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS)

    Materials that can be cut and/or engraved

    In the DBE Makerspace, you can only process materials supplied by the workshop:

    Plywood 3mm and 6mm thick

    • 1200 x 600mm
    • 900 x 600mm
    • 300 x 600mm

    Strawboard 1mm and 2mm thick

    • 900 x 680mm
    You cannot bring in other materials to cut on the Makerspace laser cutters.

    Materials that can be cut and/or engraved

    In the Digital Modelling Workshop, you can use supplied plywood, strawboard, or acrylic in limited colours, up to 900 x 600mm in size. You can also bring other material that is not stocked, such as:

    • Cast acrylic
    • Wood (thin veneers, plywood, balsa)
    • Fabric (natural or acrylic based)
    • Leather
    • Card and paper
    • Polypropylene
    • Acetate

    Some materials can be engraved only, including:

    • Glass and ceramics
    • Solid wood
    • Some metals

    Please discuss using any materials that are not supplied with a technician before bringing them to the workshop. We can recommend suppliers and ensure that you are making an appropriate choice for your project.

    Material costs

    Some units require you to pay a consumables fee, which covers the cost of some or all of your materials.

    If your material costs are not covered by a consumables fee, you will need to pay for supplied laser cutting materials at cost price as you use them.

    Check in the relevant spaces for priceing.

    File Preparation

    Vector files only

    What is a vector file?

    A vector graphic file contains a vector image rather than a raster/bitmap image. Vector graphics are constructed of shapes, lines, and points, which do not lose resolution or quality when scaled – think of text in a PDF.

    Software that can create vector files

    You can create vector files with software that you might already use, such as:

    Many tutorials for this software are available online. You may also be able to get help using these programs from your tutor or from LinkedIn Learning.

    Identifying a vector file

    Vectors need to be made in your vector program, not just copied and pasted in or imported. If you save your work as a raster format (e.g. psd, jpg, or bmp) it will be rasterized and cannot be converted back into a vector file. If you zoom in on your vector file, you will be able to identify that it does not lose resolution, whereas a raster file will become pixelated or blurry:

    vector vs raster visualisation.

    Size and colour scheme

    Your document/artboard/sheet size should match your material size. Leave a 5mm minimum margin from the edge of your material to your objects.

    RGB red: cut

    RGB green: vector engraving (“etching”)

    RGB black/greyscale: raster engraving

    Raster engraving is used to fill areas, either with a single depth/tonality using black or to create gradients, tone, or images, using greyscale.All other colours will be ignored.

    Cut lines and vector engraving must be lines of the smallest default stroke width possible in your software (e.g. “hairline” or “0.01”), with no fill.

    The laser will see every line in your file, including those hidden under others. For this reason, you need to remove any doubled lines in your file. Double cut lines can cause damage to your work, material, and the laser cutter.

    Nesting

    Make sure to keep at least 5mm from the edge of your material, and at least 1mm between shapes. This allows latent heat to disperse from your material, preventing charring and the risk of fires.

    Work must be nested to make your cutting times efficient, and reduces material waste.

    Example of work that has been nested vs not nested


    File size and format

    Export each sheet of material as a separate PDF at your material size (e.g. 900 x 600mm).

    Examples

    Artwork prepared for Trotec laser cutters, including cutting (red), vector engraving (green), and raster engraving (black/greyscale). In green is an icon showing a laser beam, and the year 2023. The text "LASER" is in solid black. There is a greyscale gradient at the top, and a red rectangular outline with curved corners.
    Artwork prepared for Trotec laser cutters, including cutting (red), vector engraving (green), and raster engraving (black/greyscale)
    Laser-cut and engraved piece of ply based on example artwork. The ply is rectangular with rounded corners, with a shaded gradient at the top. It has an engraved line drawing of a laser beam, with the words "2023 LASER" engraved below.
    Laser cutting and engraving styles produced by the above image

    Software-specific guides and templates

    AutoCAD Rhinoceros 3d Illustrator Slicer for Fusion360
    AutoCAD File Setup
    Rhino File Setup
    Illustrator File Setup
    Stacked Slice Model Guide

    External Links

    Guide: Creating a Contour Model by Melbourne School of Design's Fab Lab

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